아/어/여 보다 (try doing, give it a try)

This pattern combines a verb with the word 보다. You probably know 보다 means "to see." But here, it doesn't literally mean you are looking with your eyes. It means you are "doing and seeing" what happens. It is like saying "do it and see the result." When used in the past tense, it describes your life experiences. When used in the present or imperative, it suggests a new trial. It is a compound verb structure. The first verb carries the meaning of the action. The 보다 part adds the "try" or "experience" layer. It is like adding a "let's see" vibe to everything you do.

1. 1First, find the verb stem of your action verb.
2. 2Check the last vowel of the verb stem.
3. 3If the vowel is ㅏ or ㅗ, add 아 보다.
4. 4For example, 가다 (to go) becomes 가 보다.
5. 5If the vowel is anything else, add 어 보다.
6. 6For example, 먹다 (to eat) becomes 먹어 보다.
7. 7If the verb ends in 하다, it always becomes 해 보다.
8. 8For example, 공부하다 (to study) becomes 공부해 보다.
9. 9To talk about the past (experience), use 아/어/여 봤어요.
10. 10To suggest or command, use 아/어/여 보세요.

Use this when you want to talk about life experiences. Use it to ask "Have you ever been to Seoul?" (서울에 가 봤어요?). It is perfect for trying on clothes in a shop. You can ask "Can I try this on?" (입어 봐도 돼요?). Use it when recommending a delicious restaurant to a friend. You can say "Try eating here!" (여기서 먹어 보세요!). It works for checking if a new hobby fits you. It is also great for asking for favors politely. Instead of just "Ask him," say "Try asking him" (물어 보세요). It sounds much softer and less demanding. It is great for job interviews too. You can describe what projects you have tried before.

Don't use this grammar with adjectives alone. You can't say "Try being tall" using this pattern. You must turn the adjective into a verb first. For example, "Try becoming pretty" uses 예뻐져 보세요. Also, avoid using it with the verb 보다 itself. Saying 봐 보세요 is technically okay but sounds repetitive. Most people just say 보세요 or 구경해 보세요. Don't use it for things that are involuntary. You wouldn't say "I tried growing 2 centimeters." That is not an intentional attempt! It is also not for continuous long-term effort. For that, we use different grammar. This is for discrete attempts or experiences.

Many people forget the 아/어/여 connector. They might say 먹 보다 instead of 먹어 보다. This sounds very broken to a native ear. Another mistake is mixing up the past tense meanings. 갔어요 means "I went," but 가 봤어요 means "I have been there." These are different! One is a simple fact, the other is an experience. Think of it like a grammar traffic light. If you miss the connector, you've hit a red light. Don't forget the irregulars either. 듣다 becomes 들어 보다, not 듣어 보다. Yes, even native speakers mess this up sometimes when they are tired. But you can be better!

How is this different from -(으)ㄴ 적이 있다? Both talk about experience. But 아/어/여 보다 is much more common in conversation. -(으)ㄴ 적이 있다 is more formal and factual. It’s like a line on a resume. 아/어/여 보다 is like telling a story to a friend. Also, -(으)ㄴ 적이 있다 only works for the past. 아/어/여 보다 works for the past, present, and future. It is a much more versatile tool in your kit. Another contrast is with -(으)려고 노력하다 (to try hard/to endeavor). That one is for heavy, serious effort. 아/어/여 보다 is light and casual. It is the "give it a whirl" of Korean grammar.